Display and storage package for brushes



Oct. 17, 1961 R. SCHUMANN DISPLAY AND STORAGE PACKAGE FOR BRUSHES FiledD60. 1. 1959 III, 1

FIG 3 FIG. 2

FIG. I

INVENTOR. LAWRENCE R. SCHUMANN KENWAY. JENNEY, WITTER & HILDRETHATTORNEYS rye-Q 3,004,661 DISPLAY AND'STORAGE PACKAGE FOR BRUSHESLawrence R. Schumann, Boston, Mass., assiguor to Star BrushManufacturing Co., Inc., Boston, Mass., a corporation of New York a 7Filed Dec. 1, 1959, Ser. No. 856,488

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-78) This invention relates to display packages forbrushes and more particularly comprises a novel combination vendingpackage and reusable storage container for paint brushes.

Most paint brushes sold today are available either in an unwrappedcondition or in a disposable carton or wrapper. If a brush, is soldwithout any packaging whatsoever the exposed bristles are subject todamage while a brush sold in a conventional, disposable package may beprotected only so long as the package remains intact. Since the packageis usually destroyed upon opening, the protection available is limitedto the period before first use of the brush. After the brush has beenused and cleaned means must be sought to store the brush properly lestthe bristles become bent, splayed or otherwise damaged. For lack ofimmediate storing means a brush is frequently left aside to gather dirtand dust or stacked upright against a corner or in a jar so that thebristles become bent and permanently deformed and rendered unsuitablefor further use.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the handling andpackaging of paint brushes and the like by providing a package that willfind utility both in vending the brush and in storing the brush after ithas been later used.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paint brush displaypackage, the contents of which are visible and which is not destroyed byremoval of the brush.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight,reusable package that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture yetconvenient to use..

More particularly, the package of my invention is characterized by afiat card on the front surface of Which there is applied a transparentcover forming a closed chamber for enclosing the bristle end of a brushwith a constricted opening for the passage of the brush handle. A flapis formed in the back portion of the card and when this is opened apassage for removal of the brush is provided. I

But these and other features and objects will appear more readily upon adetailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation of a package made according to myinvention and showing the brush in its normal position,

\FIG. 2 is a view in rear elevation of the package, and

FIG. 3 is a view of the package in longitudinal section, showing thebrush partially removed.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference character indicates agenerally flat rectangular card made of relatively stiff paperboard,plastic sheet or like material. Attached to the front surface of thecard 10 is a transparent, open-ended, semi-sleeve or cover member 12made of relatively stiff cellulose acetate or other transparent resinousplastic.

The cover member 12 is formed with a flanged margin 14 which is cementedor otherwise bonded to the surface of the card 10. The margin 14 mergesinto a generally rectangular, elongated enclosure or brush chambercomprising a flat front wall 16 and flat sidewalls 18 and a top end wall19. The enclosure generally conforms to the tates vate t ice giitburs ofthe bristle end of a brush 20 as shown in The dimensions of the covermember 12 may, of course, be altered to accommodate various size brushesso that in the case of a wide brush the enclosure will be moresquare-shaped than that shown. In any event the handle portion of thebrush 20 projects out through a constricted handle-fitting opening 22formed in the lowermost end of the enclosure as viewed in the drawings.This opening is slightly larger than the neck 24 of the handle andsmaller than the shoulder portion 26. The walls adjacent the opening 22are inwardly curved as at 28 and roughly follow the curved lines of thehandle at the neck so that the enclosed brush hangs in the opening withits handle upon the face of the card.

The rear side of the card 10 has a series of perforations 32 defining aflap 34 which generally follows the line of contact of the sidewalls 18with the card 10. A tab 36 is provided at the upper end of the flapwhereby it may be gripped between the fingers and the flap pulled backand partially broken out of the card to create an opening 38 behind thebristles through which the brush 20 may be removed with its bristlesforemost. This may be done easily by pulling the brush handle away fromthe front of the card as seen in FIG. 3 so that the bristle end will bemoved at least partially out of the opening 38.

The lower portion of the flap 34 forms a narrow hinge and extendssomewhat below the cover 12 so that the wider portion of the brushhandle may be accommodated. The cellulose acetate of the cover member issomewhat resilient and, if necessary, the opening 22 may be temporarilyenlarged as the handle is passed through.

The opening or passage 38 is in the nature of a back door to the brushchamber which is formed on the front of the card and is, of course, notvisible when the package is used for display or advertising purposes.

A small hole 30 is provided at the top of the card so that one or moreof the packages may be hung from a hook for display purposes. Likewisethe package may be subsequently stored in the home or shop in similarfashion.

Once the brush has been used and cleaned in a suitable solvent, it maybe returned to the package for storage until such time as it is againneeded. The cellulose acetate of the cover is generally not afiected bymoisture so that a brush may be returned to the package when still dampwithout the cover becoming soft or soggy. The flap may be pressed backinto its original position to prevent the entry of dust and dirt thatmight otherwise reach the bristles. Also since the enclosure generallyfollows the contours of the bristle end of the brush the shape of thebrush is maintained and the bristles will not become splayed. Obviously,a brush that is sold and stored in a package of this sort will have asubstantially longer life than one that is completely unprotected.

It will also be obvious because of the transparency of the cover and theexposed position of the handle that prospective purchasers may examinethe brush without handling or mutilating the bristles. This willvirtually eliminate losses to the retailer through shop worn goods.

The package is durable yet quite simple and inexpensive to produce andmay be easily manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes as desired.A number of changes will appear to those skilled in the art. Forinstance, the front wall 12 of the cover may be suitably curved toaccommodate brushes that are round in cross-section.

What I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

A combination display and storage package for a paint brush, comprisinga flat display card having a cover member of transparent sheet materialattached to its front face and forming therewith an elongated outwardlyprojecting chamber shaped to receive the bristle and ferrule portions ofa brush, said cover member being formed with a restricted opening in itslower end for passage of the brush handle to an exposed position uponthe front face of the card, thereby presenting the entire brush to View,the walls of the restricted opening supporting the brush in said chamberwithout contact with the bristles thereof, a hinged door outlined in thecard behind said chamber by a line of perforations whereby the door maybe bent out of the card by manipulating the exposed handle of the brushthus producing an opening in the back of said chamber through which abrush may be withdrawn with its bristles foremost.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES Publication: Modern Packaging, September 1957, page 119,Trap-Door Blister.

